November 16, 2007 - The progressive reduction of the nicotine content of cigarettes has been suggested as a way to wean smokers from nicotine and tobacco. (Clin Pharmacol Ther 80(6):703-714, 2006) In this study, 20 healthy adult smokers were asked to smoke their usual brand for a week. They were then put on a six week regimen of smoking cigarettes with progressively lower levels of nicotine. At the end of the six weeks, they were free to return to their usual brand and most did. But tested a month later, they were smoking forty per cent fewer cigarettes per day than they did before the study. Furthermore, a quarter of the smokers quit their habit entirely while the study was in progress. Professor Neal Benowitz, who led the research team from the University of California at San Francisco, said: "This study supports the idea that if tobacco companies were required to reduce the levels of nicotine in cigarette tobacco, young people who start smoking could avoid becoming addicted, and current smokers could reduce or end their smoking." The new findings provide support for plans now under discussion in U.S Congress to allow tobacco products to be regulated in the US in the same way as medicines. (USA: New Study Suggests That Low-Nicotine Cigarettes Could Help Smokers Quit, Medical News Today, 11/15/2007)Read more...

November 14, 2007 - Snus has also been found to increase the risk of high blood pressure, a known factor CVD. The objective of the doctoral thesis was to study the association between snuff use and CVDs. Data from two population studies limited to men were analyst. To avoid confounding from smoking the main analyses were limited to never smokers. The first of the studies reported that its consumers run a 30% (approximately) higher risk of fatal heart attack than people who have never used the product. This greater risk is even higher for those who take more than 50 grams of snus a day. Amongst those who suffer non-fatal heart attacks, users of snus have a higher fatality rate in general than non-users, and from cardiovascular diseases in particular. The studies reveal no greater risk of stroke amongst users of snus; however, users were more likely to suffer a fatal stroke. ( Thesis: 'Swedish moist snuff and the risk of Cardiovascular Diseases', Maria-Pia Hergens, Dept. of Environmental Medicine, Karlinska Institut 2007) We are just starting to learn about the many dangers of using smokeless tobacco products like Snus. As pointed out by Marita Broadstock in her systematic review (Systematic Review of the health effects of modified smokeless tobacco products, NZHTA Report, February 2007, Volume 10 Number 1), the number of studies on smokeless tobacco is relatively slight compared to the wealth of literature published relating to smoking. For more information on the pharmacology of moist snuff see SNUS.biz. (TobaccoWatch.org) Read more...

November 14, 2007 - Star Scientific is quick to point out their tobacco products are different from moist snuff products like SNUS in that there's never a residue and never the urge to spit. The two products are Ariva(R - introduced in 2003) and Stonewall Hard Snuff(R - introduced in 2001). Stonewall is a larger version of Ariva, so it may appeal to heavier smokers. During the 3rd quarter of 2007 Star pursued a variety of initiatives aimed at continued expansion of the distribution of Ariva® and Stonewall. Those efforts included a test market in the Kroger grocery store chain and expansion of Ariva® distribution through the Walgreen's chain. The company also expects to begin distribution of an Ariva® Java blend during the fourth quarter. The results of third-quarter marketing efforts appear to confirm the company's view that Ariva® is the first smokeless tobacco product that is an acceptable alternative to cigarettes for female smokers, who make up approximately 50% of the U.S. smoking population. Stonewall dissolvable smokeless tobacco, which was developed for adults who use traditional moist snuff, is now available in three blends: Wintergreen, Natural and Java. Star ceased manufacturing and distributing discount cigarettes (four discount cigarette brands, Gunsmoke (TM), Sport (TM), Vegas (TM) and Mainstreet (TM) - TW),in June 2007. For more information on Star Scientific and its products see SNUS.biz.Click on image to enlarge..Read more...

November 13, 2007 - R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.(RJR) in memo to c-stores dated November 5, 2007 plans to discontinue the sale of Viceroy Cigarettes by the end of 2007. They are actively working to have Viceroy adult smokers choose Pall Mall as their brand of choice and it is hoped that a substantial portion of the Viceroy's volume will be transitioned to the Pall Mall. Viceroy Cigarettes have a rich history. In 1936 Brown & Williamson (BW) introduced Viceroy as the industry's first corked-tipped filter product. In 1952, BW began marketing Viceroy as the first brand with a cellulose-acetate filter. (On July 30, 2004, the U.S. assets, liabilities and operations of BW Holdings, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of British American Tobacco p.l.c., were combined with RJR, a wholly owned operating subsidiary of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc. RJR is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc. (RAI)). RAI's investment brands are CAMEL and KOOL, which receive resources focused on accelerating their share-of-market growth. The selective support brands include two full-price brands, WINSTON and SALEM, and two savings brands, DORAL and PALL MALL, all of which receive limited support in an effort to optimize profitability. Click on image to enlarge..Read more...

November 13, 2007 - (General Snus – An Authentic Swedish Snus by Swedish Match.) General Sterk comes in a white-portion format - this is a production technique that results in a gently dryer pouch product with a longer-lasting taste. Sterk contains more nicotine than most common snus types in the Norwegian market. General is the snus brand of choice for Norwegians, with a market share of approximately 70%. It has a distinctive taste; a powerful tobacco flavor with hints of pepper and citrus zest. General Sterk contains 24 pouches each weighing one gram. (More from Swedish Match). According to Dr. Karl E. Lund, research director at the Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research in Norway over the past decade, daily use of snus has tripled among teens and young adults. Swedish Match, makes what Dr. Lund calls "starter kits." "This is snus sold in glamorous metal boxes…where the snus is seasoned with different kinds of fruit flavors," he explains. "[They are] easy to use for snus novices." (NCI Cancer Bulletin, Feb 20, 2007 vol 4 number 8) After the Norwegian government in June 2004 implemented a strict indoor smoking ban in public places, sales of snus skyrocketed, and several new variants of the product ( e.g. Nick & Johnny), nicotine content is about 40 percent higher than traditional snus. Norway is not a member of the European Union.Click on image to enlarge..Read more...

November 13, 2007 - The Wisconsin state legislature approved a two-year, $57.2 billion budget, which Governor Jim Doyle signed on Friday, October 19, 2007. The budget includes a $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase and an increase in the tax on other tobacco products (OTP) from 25% to 50% of the wholesale price, said the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) in an E-News Bulletin. There is a cap of 50 cents per large cigar, and moist snuff will be taxed at a rate of $1.31 per ounce. The current cigarette tax in Wisconsin is 77 cents per pack. Wisconsin had been one of only seven states that had not increased its cigarette tax in recent years, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The governor had proposed a $1.25-per-pack cigarette tax increase and a 65.6% OTP tax rate. Smokeless tobacco products classified as "moist snuff" actually received an exemption from being taxed in the budget that was passed by the legislature but Gov. Doyle used his veto pen to remove this exemption from the budget he signed. The new tax rates will take effect on Jan. 1, 2008. A floor stocks tax will be assessed on cigarettes and moist snuff only, NATO said. Moist snuff will be taxed on a weight-based standard and not on an ad valorem basis - this is a win for United States Smokeless Tobacco, Inc. According to Doyle, the cigarette tax increase will reduce smoking rates, and it dedicates new funds to pay the cost of tobacco-related illness and invests $30 million in smoking prevention and cessation programs. See related news briefs: September 13, 2007 and April 1, 2007. Image - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Maureen Buscalacchi, Executive Director of Smoke Free Wisconsin. - Incomplete.. Read more...

November 12, 2007 - Asha Industries pioneered this product in India. Ingredients: Tobacco Leaf, Clove Oil, Glycerine, Spearmint, Menthol, Camphor. The tagline for this product is Alive with Pleasure, the same tag that Newport Cigarettes used for many years starting in 1972. Click on image to enlarge..